When it comes to General Motors vehicles with advanced
powertrains, the
Chevrolet Volt led the charge. The attractive four-door sedan
uses a lithium-ion battery pack to travel 40 miles on a charge. It
can also be plugged into a household outlet to charge over night.

Yesterday, GM announced its Cadillac Provoq concept vehicle,
another plug-in, which couples the E-Flex propulsion system with the
company's fifth generation fuel cell stack. GM CEO Rick Wagoner today
rolled the vehicle out on stage at CES alongside the Volt during his
keynote address.

Wagoner stated that the Provoq and its successors are the second
big card in GM's hand in terms of protecting the environment, and
saving consumers thousands in fuel expenses. Wagoner stated, "The
auto industry can no longer depend entirely on oil... It is critical
as both a business necessity and as an obligation to society to
develop alternative energy."

Developing alternative energy, performing desirably, and looking
good at the same time are among the Provoq's abilities.

The Provoq features two 10,000 psi composite storage tanks under
the rear cargo floor which store the hydrogen. The dual tanks feed
the fuel cell stack which in turn provides up to 88 kW of power. The
9 kWh lithium-ion battery pack powers a 70 kW co-axial motor which
powers the front wheels while a single 40 kW motor is mounted in the
hub of each rear wheel.

Thanks to its advanced powertrain, the Provoq can travel 300 miles
with a full load of hydrogen -- it can travel a total of 20 miles on
battery power alone. Likewise, the Provoq can reach 60 MPH in just
8.5 seconds and race to a top speed of 100 MPH.

GM also added additional touches which may find their way into
future fuel cell and hybrid vehicles. The Provoq contains solar
panels on the roof which are used to power electrical accessories
within the vehicle. The front grill features louvers which remain
open under low speeds to provide maximum cooling for the fuel cell
stack, yet close to create a more streamlined shape for optimum
aerodynamic performance. Finally, the Provoq features charging ports
on either side of the vehicle ahead of the front doors -- this makes
it more convenient to charge the vehicle at home.

While the fuel cell technology is definitely an incredible
achievement for GM's Advanced Systems Integration team, the Provoq
also foreshadows the styling of the next generation Cadillac SRX
crossover utility vehicle (CUV).

The current generation SRX is built on the previous generation
Cadillac CTS chassis. The second generation CTS was recently launched
which means that the SRX is due for its own makeover. The fact that
the Provoq looks very close to production-ready and that the interior
looks like a heavily stylized version of the second generation CTS'
interior leads to the pretty obvious observation.

DailyTech asked two members of the Chevrolet Volt team
about the relationship between the Provoq and the second generation
SRX -- they looked at each other with a smile and laughed knowingly,
although their official stance was a textbook "no comment."

In addition to the Provoq, Wagner also talked up GM's OnStar
system which will have the ability to slow down a vehicle at the
request of pursuant law enforcement in the event of a vehicle theft.
Offiers can call OnStar which can then beam a signal to the car's
engine control unit (ECU) – the vehicle then safely slows to a stop
while a pleasant voice tells the driver to steer the vehicle to the
shoulder and remain in the vehicle. That segment of the keynote got
quite a rise from the crowd.

Theft deterrence was not the only
new OnStar feature, however. GM is developing a mobile phone
OnStar application which will allow you with a simple click to unlock
your car, start your engine, check your car's status, or even help
you locate it in a parking lot by turning on your lights and beeping
the horn. In the case that you lost your phone, GM engineers
personally assured DailyTech that would-be thieves would not
get out of the parking lot -- the car won't shift into gear, even if
pre-started unless the key is inserted.

Wow, I guess the general populus is different than the one in my area. Personally, I agree with what everyone said. I have no intention of selling my car until it breaks down and costs more to fix than it's worth. 15k miles a year for 10 years is 150k miles. I'm pretty sure by then my car will be worth about $1500 so if it needs any work over new brake pads it's getting replaced.

But looking around, it's hard to find a car on the streets that's more than 10 years old. And a lot of the more upper middle class people I know lease their cars (what a waste of money that is!).

I dont know where you guys live but here inChapel Hill, NC there are more older cars than u would believe. I drive a 87 volvo 740 with 104k miles on it and i got it for 1500 with 90000. it needed some general maintenance like belt changes, water pump etc. but it is very reliable with the maintenance done. Tons of volvo's, mercedes, etc. in this town older than 10 years. Hey you wanna go green why not buy a good used car instead of buying a new car. I have seen these old volvo b230's go for over 250k miles with no major work. Maybe we just need to start realizing that cars can run up to and beyond 200k miles. I dont think a car is worth a damn unless it can do that.

quote: And a lot of the more upper middle class people I know lease their cars (what a waste of money that is!).

Actually it's not if you never plan to buy the car. If you just want to drive a new car every three years, you'll spend WAY less money (even with over mileage penalties) then buying a car conventionally. A lot of people swap cars every 3-5 years and for them a lease would be best way to save their money.

The argument I hear from everyone against leasing is that you don't own the car. Well guess what? You don't own the car until you pay the loan off and you have the title in your name. Until that happens, the bank owns your car.

IMO, if you are GOING to own the car past the life of the loan then don't lease. If you're going to sell or trade in the car as soon as the loan is paid or before it's paid get a lease.